We offer two options for abortion: Medication Abortion (the Abortion Pill) and Surgical Abortion.
If you are 11 weeks or less pregnant, you may be eligible to use the Abortion Pill. The Abortion Pill is a combination of two different medicines, Mifepristone and Misoprostol.
A pregnancy needs a hormone called progesterone to grow normally. Mifepristone blocks your body’s own progesterone.
This medicine causes cramping, bleeding, and flu-like symptoms to empty the uterus and feels like a really heavy and crampy period. It is like an early-pregnancy miscarriage. The timing and way you take this medication will depend on how many weeks you are in the pregnancy.
This may be an ultrasound in the office, a phone call and a urine pregnancy test, or blood work.
You can get a Surgical Abortion between 5 and 23.6 weeks in a pregnancy (if you are past 11 weeks, you are required to get a Surgical Abortion).
It's usually over in less than 10 minutes
Failure rate is less than 1%
There's less bleeding than with Medication Abortion
There's less time spent cramping than with Medication Abortion
There's less time spent cramping than with Medication Abortion
Clinic staff will be present to care for you
It can be done farther along in the pregnancy than Medication Abortion
You can choose whether you want to see the pregnancy tissue
The procedure typically takes 5-8 minutes depending on how far along you are. It can be performed while awake, with Valium, or under conscious or IV sedation. It is an outpatient procedure called a Suction D&C.
The physician will insert a speculum to hold open the walls of your vagina and then numb your cervix with a local anesthetic given by injection. If you’re awake, this typically feels like a pinch.
Next, the physician will gently stretch open your cervix using instruments called dilators. A dilator is a thin metal rod with a rounded end. The stretching takes about a minute and you may feel strong menstrual-like cramps during this part of the procedure
After your cervix is dilated, a small sterile plastic tube is inserted into your uterus. The pregnancy is then removed with suction. This is done with a handheld suction device or an electric suction machine. During this part of the procedure, you may experience stronger cramping. Some people also describe feeling pressure or a tugging sensation.
If you are between 12 and 14 weeks pregnant and have not had a vaginal delivery, you may be given medication 2-4 hours before the procedure to help prepare your cervix for dilation.
“From the moment I called ARHC the staff was extremely sweet and understanding…”
They reassured me that this facility is all about helping people and providing the best possible care. I was scared and apprehensive because I thought abortion would hurt my body, but the staff answered all of my questions thoroughly, without judgment. I was concerned about paying, but the center followed up with me and ensured everything would be taken care of. It was an adventure to get to Pittsburgh – I took a bus, took some taxis, and stayed at a Motel 6. Ran my pockets dry. I’m a college student so it’s hard as it is…I had 51 cents left in my account. I had no idea how I was going to get back to campus, but the staff helped me and made sure I wasn’t stuck or abandoned. Thank you! I greatly appreciate this place and everyone in it!”
– Haley*, 19 *Names have been changed to protect patient privacy
ARHC has provided reproductive health care since 1975. The center was first established as an abortion clinic, and through the years we have added gynecological care, prenatal care, contraception services, and STD testing to our offerings. We are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CLIA, and our physicians are board certified and hold unrestricted MD licenses in the state of Pennsylvania. ARHC is accredited by the National Abortion Federation (NAF) and the Abortion Care Network (ACN).
ARHC is committed to delivering fearless healthcare that is imbued with empathy, respect, and nonjudgment. As one of only two abortion clinics in Allegheny County, part of our mission is to destigmatize abortion and provide abortion care to all people seeking it, no matter their situation. You can support this mission by donating to the Western PA Fund for Choice, a local non-profit organization that provides supplemental funding for people who cannot afford their abortions. All proceeds from this fund are used to care for people at Allegheny Reproductive Health Center.
Annual Exams
Pap and HPV testing
Transgender care, including hormone prescribing and surgical consultation
Birth control (hormonal and non-hormonal)
Nexplanon consultation and insertion
Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
Gardasil vaccine
Colposcopy
LEEP
Diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy
Breast/chest exam and mammogram referral
Menopause management
Allegheny Reproductive Health Center is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the CLIA, and our physicians are board certified and hold unrestricted MD licenses in the state of Pennsylvania. ARHC is accredited by the National Abortion Federation (NAF) and the Abortion Care Network (ACN).
Telephone: (412) 661-8811
Fax: (412) 363-6901
Allegheny Reproductive Health Center is a reproductive health clinic providing abortion and other gynecological and obstetric services, including the abortion pill, surgical abortion, first trimester abortion and second trimester abortion to all those who need it. Allegheny Reproductive Health Center is located in Pittsburgh and serves patients throughout the region including Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Hanover, Chambersburg, Lebanon, Williamsport, Altoona, Johnstown, New Castle, Uniontown, Washington, Erie, Corry, Monroeville, Mckeesport, West Mifflin, Wexford, Bethel Park, Irwin, Columbus, Mansfield, Youngstown, Warren, Canton, Akron, Cleveland, Steubenville, Fairmont, Morgantown, Wheeling and Charleston, as well as surrounding areas.